Weekending

July has been an amazing month,but busy! We have been celebrating almost everyday here! We celebrated Fifi's birthday via Skype and watched Lucky tossed himself with his new patchwork mats. Watched Fifi open her birthday package. She loves and adores her quilt! She kept telling me, the quilt has so many spring colors in it! I told her that I had wished spring come sooner since we have had a rough winter. The spring colors just made my day and smile along while making the quilt top. Since we are thousand miles away from each other, S and I hope this quilt will serve the warmth to her anytime when she needs big hugs from us. We hope she would share the little corner of the quilt with Lucky, since Lucky seemed love the quilt more than his patchwork mats.

Over the long weekending, we celebrated America's birthday. We really miss the the small town parade. S was in the parade in honored of her button winning contest. She waved to her friends and they were shouting her name aloud and cheering for her when she went by. She made a new friend, the gentleman who gave her the ride in the parade and yes, yes, yes, she had the most wonderful time! We over stuffed ourselves with ice cream, cookies, hotdogs, S'more, peach shortcake, and homemade coffee.  We walked in the park and visited fair booths. I was hoping to find a fine carpenter to make some alphabet initials, but didn't encounter one.

You know, the after dinner time here at the farmhouse has been amazing! We have homemade dessert almost every night, even fresh made coffee go with the treat, I said that's party time! We are going to miss the fun after we move away! Indeed, our farm life is close to the end and we are in the process of moving out the farmhouse! It sounds crazy, but we are making our next move again and will be the final move for us!! cheers! 

Sewing has been slow and really minimum for last 5 weeks. Until last week, we were confirmed that we could make our next move; planning the move into the new home, booking the moving truck ( the least favorite part of the entire moving process) then shopping for supplies!  Then, you know what? Between times, I started sewing again! I cut into scraps fabric and made simple patchwork dish mats. Yeah, they are not placemats, I called them dish mats. They will be for the serving dish plates in our new home.  Then the small ones would serve as coasters or for the french press { hello!! I've missed you!}. The memory about free motion quilting is vague, since I have been spoiled with the access to a long-arm quilting machine. It really started to feel like dreams slowly coming true to have our own place again! I tried to list out with what to make on the sewing book, but I am procrastinating! Should I start from the kitchen items or bedroom items?!

The list of what to make gets add on daily then crossed out as well! From quilts to pillow cases, from pillow cases to living room cushions, from living room cushions to curtains, from curtains back to quilts again the move to what to make for S' new summer outfits. Even Christmas stockings are in the list and also a Christmas tree skirt? Then the mind start forming more questions, are all the pajama pants too small for S?  S has grown another 4 inches in last year! One yard of fabric probably will not be able to make a new pair of pajama pants now. I keep telling myself can't get too excited about it now, since we'll need to move in first! All the horrible moving dramas that we have had in the past really made me nervous about our move that's coming up next week.

But we are so look forward to our new home....

S will have her very own room, for the first time! We talked about getting new bookcases for her room.  She is thinking a wall full of books, so she could get on the ladder to retrieve books. Oh, I am not sure about that, I replied! How about a ladder for your quilts to start??

Then I'll have a room to myself with a real closet for the first time! Even I don't own lots outfits, but it would be nice to have a space for clothes and shoes. The home will be probably pretty empty, since we sold most of our furniture last year. I truly believed we'll slowly build up again because we've always walk through challenges and believed all will come together for us again!

Oh.. Did you know, I'll have a sewing loft? Yeah, you hear that right, a loft space of sewing and a space to share with S again. I have been researching on the storage units and how to arrange the space! Can you picture me sitting and surrounding by fabric again? I can't tell you, how quick my heart jump as I just typed the last sentence. .. ::excited::

The kitchen has a dine-in space! We will not buy anything right away, since we are not sure what we really have in mind, but there's a small bar alike table that extended from the kitchen counter around the corner. We'll start from there. We'll need a few high stools for sitting! I'll be cooking everyday and drink coffee off French Press again! S has requested a few dishes from me and we'll have a little celebration with lots homemade food!

The grocery list is getting longer everyday, but we seem not be able to cut it down now, since we really don't have anything to fill the kitchen cabinet! All the basic supplies are included in; butter, salt, pepper, flour, sugar, rice...etc. We might need a few trips to get them all, since I sure I'll miss some items.

This morning, I have stopped the store and check out the list of cleaning supplies! We'll be in a new city and probably won't know our way around well. I though we'll get all what we need before the move! Then, I was waited on the phone for a good part of this afternoon and set up new accounts for utility companies today, so we'll be able to see and cook when we are in our new home!

In between times, we made lots jams; peach and strawberry to be exact! The peaches have been perfect for making jams. S, the peach lover is thrilled about the peach jam! It really warms my heart up  that we'll have something homemade and fresh to take with us! It feels like my mom sends us care package from oversea, special and priceless!

I've never though we'll wanted to settle in a place for permanent, but we are SO ready! After all the moves we made this past year, we are tried! We are exhausted! We are looking forward a "HOME" and ready to root in.

So, my friends, I will be gone from here for a little while! I will need some time to settle in our new home in the new city and hope to connect with local people. Of course maybe a modern sewing quilt guild for me to particpate. Help S adopt into new school system and look forward musical opportunity for her.  I will fill you in with good news when I return to this space.  Meanwhile, I will send you postcards from time to time to let you know how we are doing!

I will take photos, so you can walk with us on this long journey to come. I will show you the sewing loft that I am most exciting about! I can't wait to cut into the fabric stashes and lay S' new quilt in her bed for her. Did you know she already requested her 11th birthday quilt from me? This mama has started searching fabric for the quilt.

I wish you sew much and drink lots sun tea because I will making and drinking jars of homemade sun tea. I'll be sewing and catching up all the late night "movie and me" time!

my friends,  so long for now!  I'll send postcards!

xxc

Belated birthday handmade

{ to be warn: Lots photos for the same project.. if you get tired.... scroll down quick}

{ Hope you have enjoy your trip down here}.

As you know that this is my last spring break as a student, but you probably don't know it will not be my last {fulfill promises break}.  Another S' birthday gift was a Ukelele that she has been hoping to have one to play with!  When the Ukelele order arrived, I waited till mid-night to open and check on the condition of the instrument. Then I realized it came with a  plastic bag to carry the ukelele. I knew I need to make her a zippered bag instead, but that did not happen till two nights ago.

S has been very kindly waited for me to sit down and design the template. We looked through my fabric stashes over the last weekending, but there are no prints that she likes!  I tried to convince her and set out prints together, so she can have some ideas, but then she rejected them all! Later, she told me, " Can you surprise me, mama?"  I can't tell you how I felt the moment she told me. It was a feeling that must. go. to fabric store right away and just find the right fabrics.

I spend long hours in the fabric store and tried to find the {right} fabric on Tuesday! Nothing floral, not too girly, not too boyish, not too pink, not too much colors, not too much shapes on the print...When I saw this blue and yellow polka dot with pup and kitty in them. I knew it would be a perfect print for S. Then since the blue and yellow might be considered a little boyish I went ahead and look for a softer print for the lining. The random polka dot print was a perfect match for it.

I came home with a stash of fabric and explained to S what I plan to do! The machine quilting took the action right away. As the process went, S asked if I could add  a pocket in the front for her. Of course! I replied to her that I can custom made any changes. She also asked for messenger strap for the bag. She waited till her bed time and wished to try her new bag on, but I had a zipper sewing mistake, so didn't make it before her bed time!

The binding is used bias tape binding, which allows to stretch a little more around the curves. After attached the bias binding, I went with hand-stitch to finish the binding, so it makes the bag a cleaner look.  Insert zipper was the most fun part on this project. I never sewn a zipper so thick and wide before and it really make the bag super sturdy look.   S picked out the handle print- Katie Jump Rope by Denyse Schmidt and it is just the right green to highlight the blue and yellow.

For the messenger strap, I went with clasp, so S can remove them if she is not wearing the bag on her. I am really proud to have this bag done during the spring break! S came home and was so happy to put it on and ready for her next lesson to come! Although it is a super belated birthday gift, but she was just happy to have a promise and strong bag to protect her instrument. 

I am making another one for my niece who has a Ukelele as well! It might be a perfect birthday gift as she will be turning 9 in July.   Now, I am onto finding the right fabric for her..
 

Note: I would like to let you know that I won't be able to host the incoming {weekending} link up party.

Link up: {crazymomquilts: Finish it up Friday post}

xxc

Patchwork Zippered Pouch

 { Scraps from M}+{ front}

 {back}

 {tab zipper sewing}

This zippered pouch is only finished project from last two weeks. It seems like most of projects are in working in progress stage and rather in large scale. The zippered pouch is made with many scraps that were sent from a friend of ours. Her tastes of the purple is great and of course many different type of fabric. I have never sewn dress shirt fabric before, but was fun to try. They are rather thin and a little stretchy. I added some of my own scraps and really love how this pouch turns out. 

I used { quilt as you go method} for the exterior sewing and lined with cotton fabric. Normally I don't line with any interfacing with lining fabric. I like the flexibility of the lining look. I miss play scraps lately as {girl one} and {girl two} are digging from the stashes. Now, I have colleted more scraps to play after they both get quilted and bound. It will be another few weeks still. 

Thank you for all the good thoughts! The housing department sent the work order in for us right away. Our door was locked when we got home and the key was able to get in and made the door click. They got us a new lock, so it is working.  {smile}

Oh.. Yes! Strawberry coffee cake recipe. I will get it write up this weekend and re-post it. According to Department of Homeland Security record. I will be getting the official letter anytime now for my interview and test.   fingers crossed!

Link up: {crazymomquilts: Finish it up Friday} 

xxc

Random: Scraps are in

The scrap quilt is coming slowly, but gradually ! I hung them on the pin board, so I can see them {together}.  It would be great to seem them come together as a piece, but now they are hanging there.  The collective mini quilt between me and S still not completed. She decided to let me take over the embroidery part. The mini quilt has been hanging on pin board since school started. I needed to revisit it once the craziness is slowing down.

These six log cabin blocks didn't make it to the quilt. Not even the backing and  I kept it aside. I set them with my kitchen sink quilt blocks together, but decided to pull four blocks out this morning.

After assembling these four blocks.... maybe a tote? a pillow case? a placemat? a small table topper?
Maybe a mini quilt for Kiki, the hippo.

xxC 

Patchwork Pillows

Finally finally these patchwork pillows are done!! It took longer time than I anticipated! I used the scraps from {J's quilt} and patched each pieces as I go. Each piece is cut in 3"x3" wide. The pillow size is 16"x16".  This is actually my first attempt making pillows.  They turn out sweet! Of course, a little voice arose on my side and asked, is that for me?  I smiled!   S asked if she can make a pillow herself.  Of course, I responded to her.

These patchwork pillows are simply to make! I would like to try binding around the pillow next time! Do you know of a good tutorial on the pillow binding? Or you have one that could share with me? These pillows are really fun to make!! I am glad I take a step forward and try something new.  These pillows are on their way to their new home! I hope the receiver will love them!

S has finally made her mind that she is thinking a blue and green quilt for her 9th birthday quilt! Well, that result me many excuses to search for prints in blue and green.  I can't tell you how excited I am that I finally can start a new quilt for her!  I take pride of each process from searching fabric, designing the quilt, making the quilt, quilting the quilt, binding the quilt and surprised her at end! Hope each quilt will reminded her each year her growth and time.

Weekend is ahead of us! We'll be have our weekending soon!

xxC

Patchwork Buckets

My right eye infection is getting better today.  I wasn't able to do much sewing or paying much attention in front of computer screen last couple of days. It seems like today the right eye is back to normal and doesn't have pinch pain.  I am still on my normal glasses and try to be careful.  Do you remember these {scrap patchwork pieces}?  I turned these patchwork pieces into {patchwork buckets}. Do you remember {the first bucket} I made for S' wooden blocks last year .  We really love the roomy spacious of the bucket. It held a lot of things.  stuff.

I tried two different style. For this bucket. I put the ears on the side and this is more for the storage usage. It is 10" tall and the diameter is 9" { really big}.

 Lined with cotton canvas weight fabric.

For these two buckets. I intended to make two longer handles. One is for picnic and one is for road trip. Thanks to Jakie aka {choleandme}. I used most of scraps she sent me for these bucks. Most of these scraps are cotton canvas weight, so it gives nice weight to the pieces. First I did all the patchwork then quilted with just straight lines on 100% cotton batting. The picnic bucket was with small loops. 

  {small loops quilting}

 The picnic bucket is going to be great for our cracker boxes, chip bags, and small bottles of water.

 The road trip bucket is for my cameras, map, and chargers. I though some small sewing projects as well.

 The storage bucket is for S. I am not sure what she has in mind for this bucket. I am sure will full with her {stuff} soon.

These patchwork buckets are flexible and great for carrying anything.  For trip grocery store or farmer's market?  I am just happy to have these buckets finished and ready to use.

Since the eye infection, I have not done much sewing and trying to rest my eyes. It is a little annoying not be able to use both eyes in the normal condition.  Today, I plan to get the Lemon Tree quilt quilted, so I can have one project cross off my list. The weather is comfortable and another full jar of raspberry tea was made yesterday. I could go and about all day with it.  I also started a little Christmas in July sewing. It will be a little crazy to do all the sewing at the month of December.  Have you start your Christmas list/ sewing?  Or it is a little too early?

8/8/2012 edit: The {patchwork bucket} tutorial is up and running !!

xxC

Random: quilts, quilts, quilts

My mind gets a little full when I have many projects that I {wanted} to attempt or projects that have been waiting for me to finish up. Today I try to map out which project that I need to take priority and which project I {wanted} to start. The {patchwork sampler} has been done for a few weeks now. Originally, I plan on hand-quilting, but later on decided to work with machine quilting instead. The loop pattern is simple and fits well with this sampler.  Lately, I  have been searching some good machine quilting books. If you have any, please recommended to me. I'd like to take a step forward on machine quilting.

Finally, finally.. I cut into {these fabric}. It is crazy and scary at the same time! Lots my favorite prints are being cut into 1.5" wide strips. I might need some more blue print that Kerry swap with me, but I hope I can get some similar color to sub.  One of my large fabric order was the low contrast prints.

The traditional log cabin quilt is one of the quilt that I wanted to make ever since I started to quilt. When I visited my friend's house duirng this spring. She has a w.i.p log cabin quilt and I kept asking her how to make one. As you can tell, I admire this old pattern very much!  I love many layout possibilities when there are many blocks being made.  I love the idea of building up the block by added different prints.

It took me 15 minutes to make one block. The center piece is always going to be red, but then I will go with different prints after that. It might be something new and fun afterwards? The light shine through the block and really reflected on the sewing seam.

{Big book of Scrap quilts} is an excellent quilting book! It has many quilt patterns and clear diagrams. I love the idea of using scraps. Did you see the old school house pattern on the right? Another wish to make quilt. I would like to make a old school house with only red and cream/white prints. 

So far, I have three blocks made and the rest of strips are hanging around the basket.  I hope to get this quilt made in October, so I will have a new quilt to snuggle with in the Fall .  When I finished this quilt it will be time for S' 9th birthday quilt. She hasn't talked her quilt, but I am sure it will not be confirm until Christmas time. I will wait!

Another quilt! I really am loving quilts that made with green, yellow and blue lately. After seeing Svetla's quilt I started to pull out fabrics and getting fabric stash together. Some of prints are only fat quarters. I know I will be feeling sad to let go some of these print from my stash, but it is time for a new summer kind of quilt. Simple patchwork quilt is what I really am looking for.   Let's keep quilting!

xxC